From left to right: (Seated) Amy Gochuico, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife China Bank Life; Phil Witherington, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife; Hans Sy, Chairman, China Banking Corp.; and Romy Uyan, President and Chief Executive Officer, China Banking Corp. (Standing) Justin Helferich, Chief Financial Officer, Manulife Philippines; Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines; Kah Siang Khoo, Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Markets, Manulife Asia; Howard Sy, Advisor to the Board, China Banking Corp.; Patrick Cheng, Chief Financial Officer; and Gerry Susmerano, Retail Banking Business Co-Segment Head, China Banking Corp.
Manulife and Chinabank are strengthening their long-standing bancassurance partnership, with Manulife President and CEO Phil Witherington visiting Manila to meet with the executive leadership team of Chinabank.
The meeting builds on the companies’ renewed 15-year bancassurance agreement signed in 2025 through Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation (MCBL), positioning the joint venture to expand access to insurance and financial solutions across the Philippines.
Technology supports wider financial access
MCBL serves customers through 650 Chinabank and China Bank Savings branches nationwide, offering life, health, wealth, savings, and retirement solutions.
While the partnership continues to leverage Chinabank’s nationwide branch network, the next phase also comes as banks and insurers increasingly use digital technologies and data-driven services to improve how customers access and manage financial products.
MCBL, whose partnership dates back to 2007, has gained fresh momentum following the renewal, recording double-digit year-on-year growth.
The collaboration combines Manulife’s insurance expertise with Chinabank’s banking franchise and distribution network. This model can help extend financial protection and wealth-building solutions to more customers while responding to changing expectations for convenient and accessible financial services.
“Through our renewed 15-year agreement, we are well-positioned to help more customers protect what matters most to them, plan with greater confidence, and build a more secure financial future,” said Phil Witherington, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife.
Chinabank Chairman Hans Sy said the partnership will continue helping Filipinos access protection, health, savings, retirement, and wealth solutions.
Amy Gochuico, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation, said MCBL is entering its next chapter with stronger momentum and a continued focus on helping more customers make meaningful financial choices.
The renewed partnership highlights the growing convergence of banking, insurance, and technology as financial institutions seek to deliver more accessible and customer-focused services.
